NEUROLOGY PROFILE
Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the nervous system in
health and disease. Neurologists diagnose and treat nervous system disorders involving the
brain and spinal cord and other nerve and muscular conditions. Many neurological problems
are characterized by pain and are chronic, debilitating and untreatable. Neurologists are
increasingly involved in rehabilitation and in the psychological and social aspects of patient
care. A large portion of neurology practice is consultative.
Neurology requires that a physician be able to demonstrate diagnostic and therapeutic skills
for ethical and effective patient care, access and apply relevant information to clinical
practice. Neurologists are required to provide effective consultation services with respect to
patient care, education and legal opinions.
A competent neurologist must be able to do the following:
• provide scientifically-based, comprehensive and effective diagnosis and management
for patients with neurological disorders;
• communicate effectively with patients, their families and medical colleagues
(particularly referring physicians), and other health care professionals;
• counsel patients and others on aspects of prevention of neurological disorders,
including risk factors, and genetic and environmental concerns;
• maintain complete and accurate medical records;
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effectively coordinate the work of the health care team;
be an effective teacher of other physicians (including medical students and house
officers), other health care personnel and patients;
be proficient in professional and technical skills related to the specialty;
demonstrate personal and professional attitudes consistent with a consultant physician
role;
be willing and able to appraise accurately his or her own professional performance;
be able to critically assess the neurological literature as it relates to patient diagnosis,
investigation and management;
be able to participate in clinical or basic science studies as a member of a research
team.
Once undergraduate medical school is completed, a resident may choose to become
certified as either an adult or pediatric neurologist. To become certified as an adult
neurologist it requires 5 years of approved residency training. This period must include:
- 1 year of basic clinical training;
- a minimum of 1 year of Royal College-approved residency training in internal medicine
(2 years are preferable);
- and a minimum of 3 years of Royal College-approved residency training in neurology.
To become certified as a pediatric neurologist requires 5 years of Royal College-approved
residency training. This period must include:
- 1 year of basic clinical training;
- a minimum of 1 year of Royal College-approved residency training in pediatrics (2 years are
preferable);
- and a minimum of 3 years of Royal College-approved residency training in neurology.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada have created a reciprocity program
that accepts the credentials of applicants to each other's examinations.
For further details on training requirements go to:
http://www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/credentials/start/routes/traditional_route
Canadian Neurological Society
http://www.cnsfederation.org/societies/society/canadian-neurological-society/2/
Number of physicians and physicians/100,000 population
in Neurology in Canada, 2015
Province/Territory
Physicians
Phys/100k pop'n
Newfoundland/Labrador
11
2.1
Prince Edward Island
2
1.4
Nova Scotia
26
2.8
New Brunswick
7
0.9
Quebec
275
3.3
Ontario
325
2.4
Manitoba
28
2.2
Saskatchewan
19
1.7
Alberta
121
2.9
British Columbia
135
2.9
Territories
0
0.0
CANADA
949
2.7
Source: 2015 CMA Masterfile
Physicians/100,000 population in Neurology
in Canada, 1995 to 2015
2.8
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1995
1997
1999
Source: CMA Masterfile
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
Neurologists by gender and year in Canada, 1995 to 2015
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
1995
1997
1999
2001
Total
Source: CMA Masterfile
2003
2005
Males
2007
2009
2011
Females
2013
2015
Neurologists by age and gender in Canada, 2015
Gender
Age Group
34 and under
5%
65 and over
19%
Female
31%
Male
69%
Source: 2015 CMA Masterfile
35 - 44
29%
55 - 64
23%
45 - 54
24%
Neurologists by age and gender in Canada, 2015
65 and over
18
152
55-64
50
45-54
163
62
161
35-44
34 and Under
122
32
140
17
Female
Source: 2015 CMA Masterfile
Male
Main work setting of Neurologists in Canada, 2014
Academic Health Sciences Centre
48%
Private Office/Clinic
31%
Non-AHSC Teaching Hospital
6%
Community Hospital
6%
Nursing home/ long term care
facility/ seniors’ residence
Community Clinic/Health-centre
University
4%
2%
1%
Source: 2014 National Physician Survey. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
Practice organization for Neurologists in Canada, 2014
3%
27%
Solo Practice
Group Practice
60%
Interprofessional Practice
7%
Hospital-based Practice
NR
3%
Source: 2014 National Physician Survey. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
Hours worked per week (excluding on-call) by Neurologists
in Canada, 2014
Activity
Hours worked per week
Direct patient care without teaching component
23.4
Direct patient care with teaching component
8.2
Teaching without patient care
2.5
Indirect patient care
7.7
Health facility committees
1.2
Administration
1.6
Research
5.6
Managing practice
1.8
Continued professional development
4.0
Other
1.7
TOTAL HOURS PER WEEK
57.8
Source: 2014 National Physician Survey. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
On-call duty hours spent per month by Neurologists in
Canada, 2014
6%
4%
3%
13%
Up to 120 hrs/month
More than 120, up to 180 hrs/month
More than 180, up to 240 hrs/month
74%
More than 240 hrs/month
No response
Time spent on call in direct patient care = 42 hrs./month
Source: 2014 National Physician Survey. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
Remuneration for Neurologists in Canada
Primary payment method1 in 2013
3%
Average gross clinical earnings
for Neurologists in 2013/14
(those earning at least $60,000) =
$306,8092
38%
42%
Average percent overhead
reported by all medical
specialists in 2010 = 20%3
12%
6%
90% + fee-for-service
90% + salary
90% + other*
Blended
NR
* Other includes capitation, sessional, contract
and other methods
1
National Physician Survey, 2013, CFPC, CMA, Royal College
National Physician Database, 2013/14, CIHI
3 National Physician Survey, 2010, CFPC, CMA, Royal College
2
Satisfaction among Neurologists in Canada, 2013
Balance of
personal & professional
commitments
9%
8%
24%
21%
30%
9%
3%
Current
professional life
NR
9%
Very dissatisfied
10%
12%
Dissatisfied
47%
Neutral
Source: 2013 National Physician Survey. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
19%
Satisfied
Very satisfied
Neurologists who are Royal College, CFPC or CMQ
certified in Canada, 2014
100%
20%
12%
2%
Royal College
CFPC
CMQ
Outside Canada
Note: Subset of those who reported a certification. Physicians could indicate more than one certification
body.
Source: 2014 National Physician Survey. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
Number of Neurologists who retired during
the THREE year period of 2012 to 2014
Males
Females
21
19
5
2
1
< 35
35-44
45-54
3
1
55-64
65 +
Total
Age Group
Source: CMA Masterfile – year over year comparisons
Note: “Retired” is based on giving up licence and is therefore excludes those who have retired
from clinical practice but are still licensed; it includes physicians who have temporarily given up
their licence but may return to practice at a later date.
Total and Ministry funded postgraduate MD trainees in
2014/15 – Neurology*
Faculty of
Medicine
Ministry
funded
Total
Memorial U N&L
7
7
Dalhousie U
6
U Laval
Faculty of
Medicine
Ministry
funded
Total
McMaster U
22
30
11
UWO
20
36
12
12
NOSM
0
0
U Sherbrooke
11
11
U Manitoba
10
11
U Montréal
24
25
U Sask
8
8
McGill U
21
41
U Alberta
19
29
U Ottawa
23
29
U Calgary
20
42
Queens U
8
8
UBC
36
56
U Toronto
43
92
Canada
290
448
* Includes Neurology (Int Med) and Neurology (Ped)
Source: 2014/15 Annual Census of Post-MD Trainees, CAPER
First year and exiting postgraduate MD trainees in
2014/15 – Neurology
80
80
11
37
40
28
Female
40
Male
31
23
IMG
48
47
First year
Postgrad
exits
GCMS
33
0
0
First year
Exits from
postgrad
IMG – International Medical Graduates
GCMS – Graduates of Canadian Medical Schools
Source: 2014/15 Annual Census of Post-MD Trainees, CAPER
Postgraduate-MD trainees in 2014/15 – Neurology
• Total of 59 first year Neurology trainees representing
20% of all Neurology trainees.
• Total of 290 Neurology trainees representing 2% of
all Ministry funded trainees.
• Total of 107 visa trainees in Neurology.
• Total of 70 Neurology trainees completed
postgraduate training in 2014.
Source: 2014/15 Annual Census of Post-MD Trainees, CAPER
Location of 2013 Postgraduate-MD exits in 2015 – Neurology
18
16
12
8
7
6
1
2
1
1
8
6
2
0
Of the 52 exits in 2013, 42 (81%) were known to be practising in Canada
Source: 2014/15 Annual Census of Post-MD Trainees, CAPER
Stress associated with finding employment at end of residency
FM resident
7%
Other spec res
6%
NR/NA
42%
43%
20%
Not stressful
8%
50%
Somewhat stressful
25%
Very stressful
Source: 2012 National Physician Survey of residents. CFPC, CMA, Royal College
Links to the organizations supplying information for this document
National Physician Survey
http://www.nationalphysiciansurvey.ca
Canadian Medical Association
http://www.cma.ca/pdc
Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
http://www.caper.ca/
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
http://www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/credentials/start/routes/traditional_route
College of Family Physicians of Canada
http://www.cfpc.ca
Canadian Institute for Health Information
http://www.cihi.ca